I was just making up techniques… how did all of you become Emperors? Chapter 642 642 Cao Youqian: Looking at you like this, you wouldn't have been interrupted while doing good deeds, would you?

"Old lady, who would have thought you'd be interested in stuff like this, Big Lei? Come on, spill it—how impressive is that old lady?"

With a gossip-filled expression, Cao Youqian eyed Lei Qilin, while the pair of disciples trailing him displayed equally inquisitive stares.

Irritated, Lei Qilin rolled his eyes and snapped, "Brother Qian, what kind of nonsense is going through your head? The old lady I'm talking about is that one from the Thunder Phoenix Clan. She's more than a thousand years my senior—doesn't that make her an old woman?"

"Is that all?" Cao Youqian slapped Lei Qilin's shoulder.

"I figured you were eager to start a family and spotted a stunning Qilin, so you wanted my tips on winning her over."

"Brother Qian, you know about these things too?" Cao Youqian had successfully diverted Lei Qilin's thoughts.

Yet he quickly snapped back to reality; this wasn't the moment for chatting about personal affairs. He rushed to add, "Brother Qian, can't you focus for just a second?"

Cao Youqian landed a punch on Lei Qilin and declared, "You haven't even clashed with her yet, so how do you know defeat is certain? If you get beaten, I'll step in right away."

Lei Qilin shook his head vigorously like a rattling drum and protested hastily, "Brother Qian, I refuse to carry the stigma of losing to a woman."

Gazing at Lei Qilin with an odd look, Cao Youqian remarked, "You actually care about the pride of a prodigy too?"

"Pride of a prodigy? I simply hate the idea of getting thrashed. You swore that if I let you ride on my back, you wouldn't allow anyone to harm me. How can you break that promise now?"

Lei Qilin struck a defiant pose, as if a stubborn pig unyielding to scalding water, his demeanor suggesting he'd plant himself there unless Cao Youqian relented.

"Hahaha..."

Lei Qilin's playful whining and tumbling antics cracked Cao Youqian up. Grinning, he replied, "Alright, this Seat gives you his word. I'll head out and tame that young Thunder Phoenix, extending the domain of our Tyrant Fist Holy Land."

Joy lit up Lei Qilin's face at those words. He flashed a sycophantic smile and cooed, "Brother Qian, I always knew you were the best to me. Too bad I'm not a female Qilin, or I'd gladly devote myself to you."

"Scram, this Seat has no interest in types like you."

Irked, Cao Youqian delivered a kick to the opportunistic Lei Qilin. Still, the brewing conflict among the three clans would deeply affect him too, potentially derailing his Master's grand scheme. He needed to dispatch a warning to the Asking Dao Sect for his Master to ready himself. Likewise, a notice to his Eldest Senior Brother was essential for early preparations.

Xia Kang and Ying Li, silent until now, perked up with thrilled expressions upon hearing this. In chorus, they asked, "Master, may we join the campaign with you?"

Without hesitation, Cao Youqian consented, "Of course you can. In fact, the entire crew from our Tyrant Fist Holy Land is coming along this time. It's perfect for you youngsters to build some real-world savvy."

The eyes of the two youths sparkled instantly. Xia Kang declared, "I'll rally the junior brothers right away then."

"Mm."

Cao Youqian nodded and announced, "As the proverb says: No need to wait for an auspicious day—act today. We're departing immediately to crush the Thunder Phoenix!"

"Yes!"

Xia Kang acknowledged energetically before dashing off to alert his sect mates, his face beaming with excitement.

In just half an hour, Cao Youqian spearheaded his band of disciples toward the Thunder Phoenix's domain.

Wind Thunder Valley. Fierce gales scour this area relentlessly throughout the year, accompanied by unending thunderclaps, which is how it earned its name.

Amid such unforgiving conditions, life forms in Wind Thunder Valley were rare. A single Thunder Phoenix called it home. Moreover, this Thunder Phoenix reigned as the Demon Emperor over a ten-thousand-mile radius. Annually, throngs of creatures arrived to pay homage.

Yet today, the once lofty Thunder Phoenix in Wind Thunder Valley acted like a delicate maiden, nestling against a Zhuque. She grumbled, "Brother, you cold-hearted brute, why only show up now? You promised to visit after a century, but over five hundred years have passed."

The Zhuque hastened to soothe her, "Sister Lei, it's not that Brother didn't wish to visit. He was secluded in cultivation for three centuries to ascend to the God Realm. Now I'm a Demon God as well. I seized the first chance to station here voluntarily. From here on, we can stay together eternally."

Learning her dear brother had achieved Demon God status, the Thunder Phoenix's face glowed with adoration. "I trusted you wouldn't disappoint me, Brother. When do you plan to visit my family and request my hand?"

The mention of proposing marriage sent a shiver through Zhuque's heart. His rise to Demon God stemmed from allying with a highborn Phoenix Clan lady. This visit wasn't for eternal companionship with the young Thunder Phoenix but to seize the region on orders, folding it into Phoenix Clan lands.

He quickly clarified, "Dear sister, no hurry on that front. Allow me to fulfill the duty assigned by His Majesty Phoenix Ancestor first. Then, wouldn't it be splendid if we founded our own realm right here?"

Nothing amiss registered in Thunder Phoenix's mind from Zhuque's statement. To her, a million-mile expanse lacked any Demon God overseer. Once her beloved brother displayed his godly might, myriad races would submit. Their union would follow soon after.

"Brother speaks true. Sister will summon my subordinate little demons at once and have them broadcast your arrival. Results should come swiftly, just as you desire."

"Hold on."

Zhuque responded, "Dear sister, first inform me of any Dragon or Qilin Clan offspring in the surrounding areas. I'll eliminate them to instill fear across the lands. That way, none will challenge us."

"Why though?" A baffled look crossed Thunder Phoenix's features.

These two clans matched the Phoenix Clan's power. Wasn't her brother's plan just inviting foes?

Zhuque elucidated, "Our Phoenix Clan is already at war with the other two. We need to settle a definitive winner this time."

Thunder Phoenix's face shifted at the news. "Doesn't that mean endless turmoil for us?"

Zhuque reassured, "Dear sister, fret not. Should the Old Ancestor prevail, the Dragon and Qilin Clans will crumble like clay idols and pottery soldiers."

Thunder Phoenix realized, as a mere Demon Emperor, she couldn't sway such events. She promptly expelled a map from her mouth and presented it. "Good brother, this chart details the local factions' layouts. One look will make it clear."

Zhuque scanned the map and beamed with eagerness. Embracing Thunder Phoenix, he murmured, "Dear sister, you're truly the finest. Now, let brother dote on you a little."

"You pest."

Though Thunder Phoenix uttered complaints, her form willingly melted into Zhuque's hold. Moments later, tender murmurs echoed across the valley...

While the pair from the Phoenix Clan indulged in their intimacy, Cao Youqian astride Lei Qilin descended beyond Wind Thunder Valley's borders. He stowed the Messaging Jade in his storage ring. The trip had been dull, so he'd already relayed to his Master and Eldest Senior Brother the impending outbreak of the three clans' grand conflict.

"Brother Qian, we're in that old lady's turf now." Lei Qilin lifted his head to address the rider on his back.

Leaping off, Cao Youqian instructed, "Now that we're here, you issue the challenge. The instant that Thunder Phoenix shows, this Seat will pin her down."

"Easy enough."

Though timid by nature, Lei Qilin, backed by his patron Cao Youqian, puffed up like a tyrant and bellowed, "Wretched crone, show yourself and meet your end! Else, your Grandpa Qilin will stomp flat your Wind Thunder Valley in a single blow!"

His shout barely faded when his frame ballooned hundreds of folds, and he stomped toward Wind Thunder Valley.

Rumble!

That single stomp sent tremors rippling through Wind Thunder Valley, quaking earth and peaks. Spotting the effect, Lei Qilin swiftly reverted to normal size.

The following instant, a furious bellow erupted from inside Wind Thunder Valley. "Who dares kick at my doorstep like some cursed fool!"

With the bellow came a fearsome aura bursting from the valley akin to a erupting volcano. Crimson glows painted the blue heavens scarlet.

"Demon God?"

"Didn't you say a female Thunder Phoenix dwells in this Wind Thunder Valley? How's it suddenly a male?"

Though Lei Qilin and Cao Youqian phrased it differently, their faces mirrored the same bewilderment.

"I have no clue?" Lei Qilin looked equally stupefied.

Truthfully, the Tyrant Fist Holy Land disciples trailing them were the most baffled. They'd come expecting their Master to overpower a Demon Emperor, yet a Demon God lurked in the valley now. Could things go awry this round?

As confusion gripped the group, a colossal, flame-wrapped silhouette gradually emerged from the valley, soaring skyward.

The moment this form materialized, the world appeared to halt. Across ten thousand miles, every creature bowed low, too terrified to glimpse its authentic shape.

Not even a Demon Emperor like Lei Qilin could steady his four limbs amid the crushing weight, nearly buckling to his knees. A single notion flashed in his thoughts: From where did this Demon God emerge?

Solely Cao Youqian buzzed with thrill. Eyeing the airborne Zhuque radiating fury, he queried, "Old firebird, judging by your state, did Big Lei just ruin your private fun?"

His remark dropped, silence blanketed the scene, and every gaze locked onto Cao Youqian...